Lotus Elan 1962-1975
Sold prices, market value and cars for sale
As of October 21, 2026, Shifty has recorded 111 public sales of the Lotus Elan 1962-1975. The records run from January 2018 to October 2026. In the past 12 months, 18 sold at a median of $30,792. The Shifty Estimate for the Sprint is $49,900.
Versions
About the Lotus Elan 1962-1975
- Built
- 1962 to 1975
- Versions
- 2
- Body styles
- Roadster
- Engine
- Ford Kent Big-Valve, 1.6L
- Power
- 105 to 126 hp
- 0 to 60
- 6.7 to 7.1 s
- Top speed
- 115 to 121 mph
- Designer
- Ron Hickman
The Lotus Elan 1962-1975 was built from 1962 to 1975.
The Elan, the most traded version: Colin Chapman's masterpiece redefined what a sports car could be. The Elan's revolutionary fiberglass body over a steel backbone chassis delivered exceptional rigidity at just 1,500 pounds, creating a power-to-weight ratio that embarrassed heavier rivals. Its twin-cam 1.6-liter Ford-based engine produced 105-126 hp depending on specification, but the real magic was in the handling. Chapman's sophisticated suspension geometry and precise rack-and-pinion steering created a telepathic connection between driver and road that influenced generations of sports cars. The pop-up headlights became iconic, while the removable hardtop offered versatility. With approximately 17,000 built across all variants, clean examples command strong prices today. The Elan's DNA lives on in the Miata, but originals remain the purest expression of Chapman's 'add lightness' philosophy. Early S1 and S2 models are particularly sought after by collectors.
The market
Recent sales
Common questions
How much does a Lotus Elan 1962-1975 cost?
In the past 12 months, 18 sold at a median of $30,792. Half of the 20 most recent sales landed between $26,266 and $38,500. The Shifty Estimate is $49,900.
What is a Lotus Elan 1962-1975 worth today?
The Shifty Estimate for the Sprint is $49,900. It describes a well-kept example.
What is the most expensive Lotus Elan 1962-1975 ever sold?
The highest sale on file is $82,000, for a 1964 Lotus Elan at Bring a Trailer. It sold on Oct 10, 2023. It showed 43,000 miles.
How many Lotus Elan 1962-1975 examples have sold?
Shifty has recorded 111 public sales since January 2018. 18 came in the past 12 months. The most recent sold for $33,000 on Oct 18, 2026.
Where do Lotus Elan 1962-1975 examples sell?
Of the last 20 sales with a known venue, 16 were at Bring a Trailer. The rest: Car & Classic (2), Collecting Cars (1) and Hemmings (1).
How many miles do Lotus Elan 1962-1975 examples have when they sell?
Across the last 20 sales with a recorded odometer, the median was 33,000 miles. The lowest showed 238 miles and the highest 84,000 miles.
Where do Shifty's Lotus Elan 1962-1975 prices come from?
Every figure here comes from recorded public sales and live listings of the Lotus Elan 1962-1975. Each sale is filed by version and year. Shifty leaves out cars without a clean title, mismatched cars and implausible prices. The Shifty Estimate weights the most recent sales most heavily. These figures were read on October 21, 2026.